1: Binge drinking is considered drinking enough alcohol in a matter of 2 hours that your blood alcohol concentration levels reach 0.08g/dL. For women, this usually occurs after about 4 drinks and for men after 5 drinks (NIAAA). | “Binge Drinking” April 2009 Photographer unknown Kidshealth.org

3: Alcohol is the most abused drug in the U.S. today (Social Problems. Pg. 319). When individuals binge drink they are excessively using alcohol to the point where they are unlikely able to control or regulate their behavior and actions. There are many different reasons individuals commence to binge drinking. One of the main reasons is that they are not willing to stop drinking once they begin, others crave the need for a drink, and some physically depend on it, experiencing side effects when they do not have it. If you drink on a regular basis you will eventually build up a tolerance that will result in you binge drinking almost every time without even realizing you are doing so!

5: Many health and social consequences come with the decision to binge drink. Not only do people make fools of themselves, many do not even remember what they said or did the night before. If you decide to get in a vehicle after drinking you are also greatly increasing your risk of having a wreck and injuring yourself as well as others. *Adults drank too much and got behind the wheel about 112 million times in 2010 - that is almost 300,000 incidents of drinking and driving each day. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, October 2011) *Based on self-reports 31% of college students met the criteria for alcohol abuse, and another 6% met the criteria for alcohol dependence (Task Force of the National Advisory Council on AA&A 2002)

7: In a study conducted by Harvard School of Public Health, statistics show that men, students younger than 24, fraternity and sorority members, whites, students in athletics, and the most sociable people are the ones who are most likely to binge drink. Binge drinking can pose many health risks. Over time it can damage the liver and cause other chronic illnesses such as strokes and heart disease. *Based off a U.S. government study, Alcohol abuse kills approx. 75,000 Americans each year and shortens the lives of these people by an average of 30 years.

9: It is often true that college students view excessive drinking as a cultural norm. Due to the environment they are in and making new friends on a regular basis, students will frequently binge drink at a social gathering without even realizing it. The stresses of school also contribute to this. I relate to the Functionalist Perspective most on this issue. Society and social norms are two of the main factors that contribute to excessive drinking. Our society provides us with norms and guidelines when it comes to drug/alcohol abuse and that is why binge drinking in a college setting is not so surprising. A set of social norms also identifies the appropriate use of alcohol, and as it explains, there is usually no harm in alcohol being consumed in moderation with meals and for special occasions.

11: Many adults are social drinkers and choose to consume alcoholic beverages with a meal or on special occasions. This is considered a social norm and as long as you are consuming the appropriate amount and not doing it around young children, then I believe it is okay to have a drink under these circumstances. Drinking only becomes a problem when it is something you want to do on a daily basis and in excess. Anytime you choose to drink in excess you will have face the consequences for your actions. Binge drinking is a very serious matter and should be taken very seriously. To alleviate this problem always drink wisely and responsibly!